Derby City Council details compulsory redundancies

Almost 680 compulsory redundancies could be made by Derby City Council, the authority has confirmed.

Officials have released figures showing how they aim to save £32m by 2012.

These show how the number of jobs cut will be affected by how much is gained by changing terms like sick pay, new NHS grants and voluntary redundancies.

The "best case scenario" predicts 370 compulsory redundancies, but if no cash is found from other areas, 676 posts will be forced to go.

Union meeting

The Conservative-controlled council said it had already mapped out cuts of £20m but was hoping for £3.2m in grants from the NHS and at least £3.7m of savings through changes to staff terms and conditions.

These changes, which include cutting the working week by one hour to 36 hours and reducing sick pay, have yet to be agreed with the unions.

Voluntary redundancies, retirement and deleting vacant positions have already led to 140 posts being lost.

Both job loss scenarios show 193 posts have already been identified for compulsory redundancy, with at least another 177 needing to be found.

In a statement, the authority said it was now putting plans in place to achieve the savings required and would consult with staff shortly, but declined to comment further.

Derby City Council chief executive Adam Wilkinson is due to meet with unions on 14 January.